Drawing For Dummies
by Brenda Hoddinott

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Book Summary Information

• WIL-55476
• 9780764554766
• Brand New Item / Unopened Product
• Wiley Publishing

Book Reviews of Drawing For Dummies

Book Review: A great way to start learning to draw
Summary: 4 Stars

Drawing for Dummies is, as another reviewer states, like a classroom in a book.
Throwing you right into your first simple drawing project in Chapter 1, she talks about the types of pencils and erasers you should be using (before getting this book I had no idea that you could buy different types of pencils to get different shades of darkness, or that with a kneaded eraser you could lighten an area and not completely erase it).
She then talks about how to see as an artist - how to see the lines in objects, different levels of shading are, etc.
Also covered is how to create the illusion of 3 dimensions using shading, how to shade using hatching and crosshatching, how to create textures in pencil, and there is a chapter devoted to perspective.
And that's not all!
The author then covers composition, sketching and sketchbooks, how to draw from memory, drawing still lifes, and drawing animals.
There is also an entire section of the book devoted to drawing portraits, starting with babies (as they are allegedly easier to draw than adults) and then moving through childhood and to adulthood.
Although she doesn't cover them quite as in depth as the other subjects, she also touches on things such as gridding, preservation of your drawing, your work area, cartooning, and how to develop your own style.
There are drawing exercises through almost every concept, and several "bonus" exercises are included in the back of the book.

The only issues I had with this book were that when it comes to shading, hatching and crosshatching are the only types it covers (or even acknowledges). Hatching is not the only, nor the most popular, form of shading, and although I'm sure it depends on the artist I'd have to say it's not the easiest either - some coverage of blending techniques would have been nice.
I was also frustrated starting out because it was very rare during the step-by-step drawing exercises that she states which pencil you should be using for what. After enough practice it becomes somewhat natural, but when first starting out it would have been nice to see "Use your 2B pencil for the shading under the wings."

All in all though this is an incredible book, definately the best of all the drawing books I've looked through at the book stores (and there are a lot of drawing books out there!).

Summary of Drawing For Dummies

Drawing For Dummies offers you a fun, easy way to learn drawing basics. Its author, professional illustrator and long-time art educator Brenda Hoddinott, has a simple philosophy?that only you can teach you to draw. With that in mind, she arms you with the tools you need to explore the basics and then coaches you through 30 hands-on drawing projects. You'll quickly

• Conquer the basics of line and shading
• Develop an eye for basic shapes and contours
• Discover how to create the illusion of three dimensions
• Render still-life subjects and landscapes
• Bring animals and people to vivid life on the page

Brenda helps you tune into your right brain and see the world as an artist does. You?ll discover how to break things down into basic lines and shapes and then reassemble them on the page. Other topics covered include:

• Understanding and exercising the basic skills of drawing lines and shapes, adding life and depth with shading, and rendering textures
• Mastering the fundamentals of composition and planning drawings
• Creating lifelike doodles and cartoon characters
• Drawing the natural environment including both plants and animals
• Keeping a sketchbook and drawing from memory
• Drawing people, starting with babies and exploring the human face from childhood to old age

It?s never too late to unleash the artist within. Let Drawing For Dummies put you on the road of discovery and self-expression through drawing.

Drawing Books

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• History & Criticism
• Crafts, Hobbies & Home > How-to & Home Improvements > Do-It-Yourself